Aged care seal colony grows

The Selwyn Foundation’s Diversional Therapist, Orquidea Mortera, with the expanded 'colony' of PARO therapeutic seal robots (Supplied / The Selwyn Foundation)
The Selwyn Foundation’s Diversional Therapist, Orquidea Mortera, with the expanded 'colony' of PARO therapeutic seal robots (Supplied / The Selwyn Foundation)

A colony of robot seal pups living in group of retirement homes nationwide has grown by nine -- but while they're cuddly, they're not exactly warm.

The Selwyn Foundation, a charitable trust, first added the interactive robots to their aged care facilities in 2014. With the nine new additions, the colony has now grown to 14.

The Japanese-designed PARO robots are modelled on a baby Canadian Harp seal and respond to stimuli in its environment such as touch, by moving its head and tail, opening its eyes, and making soft noises.

When first brought in in 2014, the Selwyn Foundation found the robots helped ease resident's loneliness and made them more likely to talk to others, such as their caregivers. A second trial, the results of which are due to be published later this year, suggests they could be helpful for people with dementia.

Foundation chief executive Garry Smith says the pups not only help with resident's socialisation, but also have physical benefits such as helping lower blood pressure.

But it's not likely the robo-pups will be overpowering real furred animals in the care facilities.

"Whilst it's unlikely that robots will ever replace personal care or even pet animals in residential care facilities, there is a place for such assistive technology in aged care," says Mr Smith. "For example, as an aid to communication, health monitoring and in ensuring the ongoing wellbeing of older people living alone."

The only place you'll see the adorable robots is within the Foundation's care facilities -- they're the only aged care services provider in New Zealand to have purchased them.

Newshub.